Navarra

The kingdom of the Pyrenees, called Navarre in French and Na~ varra in Spanish, is Basque in population and reached the height of its influence in the medieval affairs of western Europe in the eleventh century. Today it is a sprawling, thinly populated district given over to pasture, forestry and marginal agriculture. Although much larger than the combined provinces now officially listed as Basque, it sup ports only 400,000 people.

The importance of the old kingdom grew out of the quality of its people and the strategic location of Pamplona, its capital city. Pam plona dominated the west central passes of the Pyrenees and the upper Ebro River valley. The pass at Roncesvalles was the traditional invasion route to and from France. In A.D. 824 the Basque chieftain, Inigo Aritza, was elected king of Pamplona. As the city’s control was expanded, the kingdom called itself Navarra. Sancho III of Navarra ruled over nearly all of Christian Spain, but its various kingdoms were divided up among his sons. The kings of France were also kings of Navarre from Philip IV until Louis XVI, and until recently the kings of Spain were also kings of Navarra.

From the defeat of Charlemagne’s rear guard at Roncesvalles into modern times, the Basques of Navarra have been known for their democratic and independent spirit and their personal courage. Pre sent-day Pamplona is best known for its annual custom of running the bulls through the city’s streets, an event described with fervor by the late Ernest Hemingway.